P1.5 billion shabu found floating off Zambales

MANILA, Philippines — Shabu with an estimated street value of P1.51 billion has been found floating in the waters off Masinloc in Zambales, according to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

The PDEA said the illegal substance, weighing at least 222.65 kilos, was packed in 223 vacuum-sealed plastic bags and placed in 10 sacks.

The sacks of shabu were found floating by fishermen from Bataan on May 29.

Col. Marites Salvadora, Bataan police director, said a certain Dennis Sumayo, captain of the fishing boat Clydie Claire, and his men were sailing in West Bajo de Masinloc when they spotted 10 sacks floating at around 5:30 p.m.

Thinking the sacks contained food and other useful items, the fishermen collected the sacks and placed these on their boat.

Salvadora said the fishermen opened the sacks and found packages they suspected to be shabu.

She said the fishermen brought the sacks with them when they returned ashore to Barangay Sisiman in Mariveles on the same day.

On June 2, the fishermen reported their find to the local substation of the Philippine Coast Guard, which reported the matter to authorities.

PDEA chief Isagani Nerez lauded the fishermen for their honesty. He said the fishermen deserved recognition from the government.

“The action of our hero fisherfolk is an embodiment of what every member of our society should do, that is to contribute to the general welfare and security of our communities,” Nerez said in a statement.

Nerez has ordered a thorough investigation to identify and track down people responsible for dumping shabu in the country’s territorial waters.

The illegal drugs were turned over to the PDEA for laboratory examination.

On May 26, or three days before the discovery of the floating shabu, PDEA agents seized shabu valued at P1.05 billion in Angeles, Pampanga.

The illegal substance was seized in a raid on an abandoned property, which was leased by a Chinese national, in Timog Hills subdivision in Barangay Pampang. — Ramon Efren Lazaro, Evelyn Macairan